January 11, 2012

Holidays are Behind

10 days of holidays are behind. It was a time when the city was felt to be covered in big warm fluffy blanket. Empty streets, no traffic, laziness in the air. And I tried to use this occasion to draw and to paint.

Why 10 days? Orthodox church Christmas is on 7th January. And New Year (orthodox calendar) is on 14th January (here wiki calendar's explanation if you want the details). And if you are a dedicated "celebrator" you can start on 25th December and finish celebrating on 15th January..
So our government decided few years ago that Russia needs long holiday in January (some people say that government people set this law for their own winter comfort in the Alps skiing, but I do not believe).

It was good time. And good that it is over, time to wake up!

My upper still life is from the drawing class. Though the drawing has a lot of mistakes, I like the overall warm impression.

A5, Ink and watercolor in sketchbook

The EDM drawing list is always great help if you search for drawing ideas. It inspired me to draw "something china". It is china pot and the chick on chicken's back hides the water hole.
The date stamp is my latest purchase. I saw it in one of the "Urban Sketchers" blog and decided I need the same for my sketchbook.

A5, Ink and watercolor in sketchbook

This one was "Draw your toothbrush" in EDM. I spread the idea to wider view of the bathroom interior.

30x40cm, watercolour

I kept the photo of this vase on the windowsill for so long that I can not remember the author exactly. It was one of Jen's photos in Rookiepainter challenge in 2009, I think.

This painting was very well corresponding to the stillness and calmness of January holiday time .

This one is the result of the experiment, which I found in the drawing manual:
Take a photo, turn it upside down and draw lines and shapes, not legs, arms and head. That idea really worked! I did this sketch in upside down position in 30 minutes with almost no corrections. Time to switch off the thinking process and draw what one sees!

A4, watercolor and Neocolor sticks

And apples. I was inspired by apples' photo in this Russian artist's blog.
I wanted to practice watercolor's transparency and color combinations. Instead sketch was started in watercolor and finished in watercolor Neocolor sticks of my favorite bold colors' combination.

24 comments:

Hi Irina, you worked a lot during winter holidays. Even if, as you said, the still life has few imperfecions (which to me make the drawing more interesting) is, in my opinion, a beautiful painting, its composition is very originl and a I like the warm coloration you gave it. I also like the chicken, a wonderful work indeed. But let me say that, all what you did is very interesting! Ciao!!

You posted so many wonderful things! I like the iron painting and agree that the warm colors are beautiful. Your drawings are terrific. I love the one of your toothbrush and the china. Your apples made me hungry. :)